Industry Pioneer Fred Rosen Dead at 85

Dalton, GA, July 17--Former Enduro Mills CEO Fred Rosen passed away last week. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Rosen had lived in Dalton since 1935. Julian Saul, president of Shaw Industries, knew Rosen most of his life and regarded him as a close friend."He was very gruff on the outside and a very private individual, but once you pierced that armor and got to know him he was a very warm person," Saul said. "If he was your friend, he was really a dear friend to you." Rosen was the chief executive officer of Enduro Mills. After his retirement in 1982 he worked as an industry consultant. Saul said he became closer to Rosen after he retired from the carpet industry. "When he was in business, he wasn't very friendly with his competitors," Saul said with a laugh. Rosen and his family were involved in the tufted bedspread business, which would become the carpet and rug industry. Saul said Rosen and his family were "one of the real pioneers here, much before my family." He described Rosen as a "real character." "He was very, very opinionated and didn't spare any words," Saul said. "He would let you know just how he felt. To change his mind would be like moving Stone Mountain." Saul said Rosen was extremely dedicated to his religion, country and family. Rosen never had children of his own but cherished his nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, Saul said. Ron VanGelderen, former president of the Carpet and Rug Institute, also called Rosen a "pioneer" in the industry. Wanda Ellis, director of the American Floor Covering Alliance, said the office where she worked was close to Rosen's office and called him "a delightful gentleman." Rosen was a PT boat training classmate of President John F. Kennedy and attended Kennedy's wedding. Rosen's office was decorated with pictures and awards from his service in the Navy, Ellis said. "He loved to talk about his time in the service," she said. "He could talk for hours about that." Rosen also played football for the University of Georgia. Henry Christopher, who worked at Enduro Mills, said Rosen "was a real interesting individual and had an interesting life." Services were Tuesday at the chapel of Love Funeral Home. Graveside service will be today at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, NY.

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